Writings, Articles, Musings
This material consists of papers and notes I composed while studying at Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. (If you want to know who I am, start here.) I've added other articles and such since my graduation in May 2005.
Much of this work is in Acrobat format. Since I have a Macintosh running OS X, I can print to .pdf natively. If you're running OS X, you can use the Preview app to view these files. Otherwise, you should get Acrobat Reader - or use Macintosh, too!
You may notice I've written a few papers regarding science and theology. It seems I'm moving toward focusing on this direction. If you see something here that looks interesting and you would like to rationally discuss the topic, feel free to e-mail me. If I've said something in these papers which you can prove wrong (meaning you have documented sources), I'm willing to listen. I'm not the pope or a four star general, so I'm not infallible. Note that I don't believe the Bible is a science book, so if you do, odds are I'll not respond to rants and raves calling me a heretic for believing in the Big Bang.
Any sermons I've preached in Preaching class (yes, we study how to preach) are located with my other sermons. You can find them here.
As always, if you have questions about anything here, e-mail me. If I can't give a satisafactory answer, I'll forward it to someone who can.
Here is my Admissions Essay on the Apostles Creed. Every Beeson applicant is required to write what they believe about the Apostles Creed and why.
Articles
These are articles I wrote for CMUG (Christian Macintosh User Group):
The Power of Calling, "Our Father." Jesus' model prayer remains the greatest act of faith and submission in a believer's life.
Salvation: Is God Counting Tears? With the death of Pope John Paul II, questions of salvation raged in the list. Here's my response.
Biblical Classes
Old Testament
Psalm 3 Exegetical paper and exposition
Book of the 12 Lectures on the Minor Prophets
Writings This file includes notes on Esther and Daniel.
Handout on Daniel In Microsoft Excel format. If you have trouble with this file, let me know.
Daniel 9 Exegetical Paper: The 70 Weeks Prophecy
New Testament
Exegesis paper on the fruit of the Spirit passage in Galatians 5.
Notes on the Pastoral Epistles (last two days; notes on the books 1 Timothy, Titus, and 2 Timothy)
Church History Papers
History of Biblical Interpretation: Genesis 3:1-7
Notes from History of Biblical Interpretation class taught by Gerald Bray. His book, The History of Biblical Interpretation, is a must-read for all pastors.
Basil of Caesarea One of the early Church Fathers responsible for the defeat of Arianism.
The Judaizer Heresy: Good Intentions Gone Bad
From Mission to Mainstream: Implications of 19th century Anglican missions on the Church.
Reformation Day, 2007: From the Fall of Rome to Martin Luther a study I delivered at church on Reformation Day.
Theology Papers
To Choose or Be Chosen: C.S. Lewis and Predestination This paper discusses the possibility that some people are predestined to salvation while others are given the choice. Before you think this view heretical, you should download the paper, read it, and realize I don't deny the Trinity or anything else in the Creeds. Besides, I'm much more inclined toward accepting Calvin's view than Lewis'; I simply don't think we can ignore Lewis on this issue.
Science and Theology Based in part on John Polkinghorne's. One World: The Interaction of Science and Theology.
Augustine and Time in Contemporary Scientific and Theological Thought Obviously not everything that could (or should) be said on the topic, but a good starter. I may expand this later for a thesis or (gasp!) a dissertation.
Constructing a Christian Center regarding Church unity. The center is an uncomfortable place, but only there do we find true unity.
Doctrinal and Biblical Studies
This section contains notes from studies I've conducted at my church, and also from Pastors School at Beeson Divinity School.
Dr. Alec Motyer's Lectures on Ezekiel Chapters 1-3 from the 13th Annual Pastors School, Beeson Divinity School.
- Abraham: A Life of Blessing lecture notes for New Hope's Winter Bible Study for 2006.
- Moses: Obedience and Redemption lecture note for our current Wednesday Bible study. I'll expand these notes over the summer.
Poems
I don't consider myself the best poet in the world by far, but sometimes I just get inspired.
The Cross Holds a King from the Sunday of Christ the King, Last Sunday of Pentecost 2004.
A Child was born today from Christmas 2005.